Posts by Michael Niren

The scandalous story of an Afghan interpreter Sayed Shah Sharifi who was denied a visa allegedly because he reported his difficulties with the Canadian immigration process to the media, has been denied his visa under a special measures program announced in 2009. This program was designed to help Afghan interpreters get visas to Canada who […]

Today is Remembrance Day, when Canadians and all of those living in Canada take a day to remember those who fought, died or were wounded to preserve our freedoms. Canadians and immigrants to Canada enjoy many freedoms and a quality of life we would not have if it weren’t for those who fought and made […]

Up to 10,000 more skilled workers could be admitted to Canada in 2012 Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney told Parliament last week that he intends to increase skilled workers in Canada by between 8,000 and 10,000 during 2012, up from the current 47,000 to between 55,000 and 57,000. “The government’s number one […]

Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently announced they were no longer accepting applications for parents and grandparents to come to Canada in order to clear up a lengthy backlog – but would introduce a new “super” visa for them and increase the quota numbers. Many critics suggest adding more older people to Canada’s aging population isn’t […]

CIC giveth and taketh away: Parents and Grandparents can visit but can’t stay It was recently announced that as of November 5, 2011, no new parent/grandparent sponsorship applications will be accepted for two years. No more PR applications for these loved ones. But no fear! Is it a bird? A plane? No, its The Super visa! […]

We recently blogged about how Citizenship and Immigration Canada might be targeting parent and grandparent immigration in order to put more focus on economic immigrants instead of family reunification. A column appeared in the Edmonton Journal shortly afterwards, making an argument as to why this is a good idea, suggesting that parents and grandparents of […]

New documents show that from 2008 to 2010, the Canada Border Services Agency has opened 39 different investigations into marriage fraud for immigration purposes according to this article in the Winnipeg Free Press. While 39 cases doesn’t seem like a lot, many fraudulent marriage cases have similarities or often involve the same people who help […]

Family Class Canadian Immigration may be first to be cut While in the midst of public and private consultations on Canada’s immigration system, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has said that Canada’s immigration processing is far too backlogged and in order to successfully eliminate the backlog, the government will have to accept fewer […]

According to this Metro News article, Canadian homicide rates have hit a 44-year low as evidenced by a new report from Statistics Canada. The Canadian homicide numbers in the report by Statistics Canada are for the year 2010, but some cities such as Toronto are still on target for a lower-than-average number of homicides for […]

More US Workers applying for Temporary Work Visas We recently blogged about how in a complete reversal of historical trends, more and more workers from the United States are looking for jobs in Canada. The unemployment rate in the United States is high, and an uncertain economy has more Americans looking for temporary work visas […]

Due to the downturn in the US economy, Canadians are experiencing a “reverse brain drain”. Americans are seeking employment in Canada and are applying for Canadian work permits in record numbers. I was interviewed by Jennifer Ward on CTV this month about my experiences at my office with Americans applying for Canadian work visas. I […]

I want to thank the team of Niren and Associates for guiding me throughout my entire application process for both my LMO and Work Permit, even with all the changes and adjustments done to Canadian immigration laws they were able to provide me with accurate information, updated documents and address all my questions and concerns in a timely […]

Historically, more Canadians have flocked to the United States for jobs. But according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, in 2010 there was a record high of Americans applying for temporary work visas. According to this article in the Globe and Mail, the current 14 million Americans who are unemployed would equal about 40 per cent […]

Government announces new language testing requirements A notice was published in the Canada Gazette this past weekend asking for comments on the government’s intention to require immigrants to Canada to pass new language testing. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, applicants who are between 18 and 54 years of age will have to prove they […]

At the end of September, United States Republican Candidate Mitt Romney spoke highly of the Canadian immigration points system, which is used to determine if immigrants qualify for the Skilled Worker program. Romney said that he doesn’t believe in allowing illegal immigrants in-state tuition to study at universities and colleges in Texas, but instead thinks […]